The cosmological constant problem arises at the intersection between general relativity and quantum field theory, and is regarded as a fundamental problem in modern physics. In this paper we describe the historical and conceptual origin of the cosmological constant problem which is intimately connected to the vacuum concept in quantum field theory. We critically discuss how the problem rests on the notion of physically real vacuum energy, and which relations between general relativity and quantum field theory are assumed in order (...) to make the problem well-defined. (shrink)

The cosmological constant problem arises at the intersection between general relativity and quantum field theory, and is regarded as a fundamental problem in modern physics. In this paper we describe the historical and conceptual origin of the cosmological constant problem which is intimately connected to the vacuum concept in quantum field theory. We critically discuss how the problem rests on the notion of physically real vacuum energy, and which relations between general relativity and quantum field theory are assumed in order (...) to make the problem well-defined. (shrink)

The concept of energy, the premier concept of physics and indeed of all science, is here investigated from the standpoint of its early historical origin and the philosophical implications thereof. The fundamental assumption is made that the root of the concept is the notion of invariance or constancy in the midst of change. Salient points in the development of this idea are presented from ancient times up to the publication of Lagrange'sMécanique Analytique (1788).

It is shown that the counter-intuitive and irrational character of quantum paradoxes may be caused by a lack of information available for the observer on the basis of quantum theory. Since information has an energy value, this means that it should then be the energy concept implemented, the symbolic form, the energy criteria through which nature is understood, which may in part be incomplete for quantum physics. This possibility was investigated and implemented via a "dynamic" energy concept, derivable from the (...) principle of least action, which generates a fundamental arrow of time and is also applicable to quantum phenomena. By correcting the energy formalism accordingly, by additionally considering the missing relevance of space for energy in quantum theory, quantum paradoxes do indeed disappear. This is demonstrated with the double-slit experiment, for non-causality, for quantum correlation and for additional paradoxes. An information self-image of matter, needed for a re- interpretation of the particle-wave dualism of matter, turns out to be very helpful in eliminating irrationalities. It also leads to a local explanation of constant light velocity, and thus makes the assumption of a four-dimensional space-time unnecessary. On this basis, the theories on the universe were re-designed and a new interpretation of gravitation is given. Fundamental natural laws can really be understood rationally and their time-orientation also induces self-organization of information. This allows a materialistic description of nature including mind. Maximum energy turnover, within the given restraints, and development of mind are identified to be the actual aims of evolution. (shrink)

Since antiquity philosophers were searching for something stable among all changes in the surrounding. Energy turned out to be the quantity, which is conserved. However in modern physics energy has lost any relation to change. Energy has the potential to do work, but no interest. It is a number, a scalar quantity. The book investigates the consequences when assuming energy to be dynamic, a vector. Energy is defined to have the tendency to decrease its presence per state. When no energy (...) is turned over in a quantum state, it is oscillating between a particle, where energy is concentrated, and a wave, where energy is distributed. Energetically, a particle and a wave are not identical (as claimed now). Since diluted energy has a decreased working ability and generates non-available (entropic) energy, energy in form of information has simultaneously to be activated to transform the diluted energy reversibly back into concentrated form (a particle). The discussed consequences of this energy model are: 1) energy drives time. Time is the trace, which energy conversion carves into the environment and our brain. 2) Energy and time are related and can only be transformed together as action (energy x time). Only action exists in nature. Since action is invariant, time traveling (which leads to paradoxes) is not possible. Time is not an illusion, but deducible from action 3) Due to the new defined energy properties of the quantum states, quantum paradoxes appear to be eliminated. In the double slit experiment the (energy of) information which is generated to reconvert the wave into a particle, also carries the information from the second slit to a particle. 4) Since energy induces time oriented processes, self organization (which needs to distinguish between a "before" and an "after) of matter is a straightforward consequence. Since information has an energy content, also information can self organize. As living self organized matter is hierarchically above inorganic matter, self organized information controls ordinary information. It is defined and discussed as our consciousness. The author feels that his hypothesis of a dynamically behaving energy eliminates relevant paradoxes in present physics and deserves to be closer examined. It also shows that evolution has an aim (in contrast to present understanding). This aim is competition for always more energy. If this is true mankind is facing a problem. (shrink)

The principle of least action, which has so successfully been applied to diverse fields of physics looks back at three centuries of philosophical and mathematical discussions and controversies. They could not explain why nature is applying the principle and why scalar energy quantities succeed in describing dynamic motion. When the least action integral is subdivided into infinitesimal small sections each one has to maintain the ability to minimise. This however has the mathematical consequence that the Lagrange function at a given (...) point of the trajectory, the dynamic, available energy generating motion, must itself have a fundamental property to minimize. Since a scalar quantity, a pure number, cannot do that, energy must fundamentally be dynamic and time oriented for a consistent understanding. It must have vectorial properties in aiming at a decrease of free energy per state (which would also allow derivation of the second law of thermodynamics). Present physics is ignoring that and applying variation calculus as a formal mathematical tool to impose a minimisation of scalar assumed energy quantities for obtaining dynamic motion. When, however, the dynamic property of energy is taken seriously it is fundamental and has also to be applied to quantum processes. A consequence is that particle and wave are not equivalent, but the wave (distributed energy) follows from the first (concentrated energy). Information, provided from the beginning, an information self-image of matter, is additionally needed to recreate the particle from the wave, shaping a “dynamic” particle-wave duality. It is shown that this new concept of a “dynamic” quantum state rationally explains quantization, the double slit experiment and quantum correlation, which has not been possible before. Some more general considerations on the link between quantum processes, gravitation and cosmological phenomena are also advanced. (shrink)